Predictors of reincarceration and disease progression among released HIV-infected inmates

Jacques Baillargeon, Thomas P. Giordano, Amy Jo Harzke, Anne C. Spaulding, Z. Helen Wu, James J. Grady, Gwen Baillargeon, David P. Paar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the 3-year reincarceration rate of all HIV-infected inmates (n=1917) released from the Texas prison system between January 2004 and March 2006. We also analyzed postrelease changes in HIV clinical status in the subgroup of inmates who were subsequently reincarcerated and had either CD4 lymphocyte counts (n=119) or plasma HIV RNA levels (n=122) recorded in their electronic medical record at both release and reincarceration. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess predictors of reincarceration and clinical changes in HIV status. Only 20% of all HIV-infected inmates were reincarcerated within 3 years of release. Female inmates (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47, 0.84) and inmates taking antiretroviral therapy at the time of release (HR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.25, 0.39) were at decreased risk of reincarceration. African Americans (HR 1.58; 95% CI, 1.22, 2.05), inmates with a major psychiatric disorder (HR 1.82; 95% CI, 1.41, 2.34), and inmates released on parole (HR 2.86; 95% CI, 2.31, 3.55) were at increased risk of reincarceration. A subgroup of reincarcerated inmates had a mean decrease in CD4 cell count of 79.4 lymphocytes per microliter (p<0.0003) and a mean increase in viral load of 1.5 log 10 copies per milliliter (p<0.0001) in the period between release and reincarceration. Our findings, although substantially limited by selection bias, highlight the importance of developing discharge planning programs to improve linkage to community-based HIV care and reduce recidivism among released HIV-infected inmates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)389-394
Number of pages6
JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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